Miter saw assembly with detachable circular saw

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments provide a miter saw assembly including a circular saw detachably coupled to a miter base. The circular saw includes a circular blade, a motor, a power supply, and an attachment mechanism. The motor is operable to rotate the circular blade. The power supply is operable to provide power to the motor. The attachment mechanism detachably couples with a coupling arm of the miter base. The miter base includes a base and a support arm. The support arm includes the coupling arm, a vertical pivot, and a horizontal pivot. The vertical pivot is operable to pivot the coupling arm in a vertical plane. The horizontal pivot is rotatably coupled with the base. The horizontal pivot is operable to rotate the coupling arm in a horizontal plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/195,224, filed Mar. 3, 2014. The above-identifiedapplication is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to power saws such as mitersaws and circular saws. More specifically, certain embodiments of thepresent invention relate to a miter saw assembly that includes adetachably coupled circular saw.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In typical households, garage and other work area space is limited,particularly for storage of non-vehicular items. Thus, consumers areoften forced to choose between one item and another simply because theirwork area and/or garage do not have enough space to accommodate both.Further, although a consumer may have occasional use for either acircular saw or miter saw, a consumer may not want the investment ofspace and money for two units.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention asset forth in the remainder of the present application with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A miter saw assembly with a detachably coupled circular saw,substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at leastone of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear side perspective view of an exemplary mitersaw assembly with a circular saw detached from a miter base, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary miter sawassembly with a circular saw detached from a miter base, in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary miter sawassembly with a circular saw detached from a miter base, in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary miter sawassembly with a circular saw detached from a miter base, in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear side perspective view of an exemplary mitersaw assembly with a circular saw detachably coupled to a miter base, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front side perspective view of an exemplary mitersaw assembly with a circular saw detachably coupled to a miter base, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear side perspective view of an exemplaryattachment mechanism for detachably coupling a circular saw to a miterbase, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front side perspective view of an exemplaryattachment mechanism for detachably coupling a circular saw to a miterbase, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear side perspective view of an exemplary slideand attachment mechanism with a slide clamp for detachably coupling acircular saw to a miter base, in accordance with an example embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary slide and anattachment mechanism for detachably coupling a circular saw to a miterbase, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary attachmentmechanism and an exemplary slide including an exemplary lockingmechanism for securing a detachably coupleable circular saw to a miterbase, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of an exemplary locking mechanism in alocked position, in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of an exemplary locking mechanism in arelease position, in accordance with an example embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of an exemplary blade guard mechanismwith the circular saw housing removed, in accordance with an exampleembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary blade guardlever of an exemplary blade guard mechanism with the circular sawhousing removed, in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are related to a miter saw assemblywith a detachably coupled circular saw. An example embodiment of thepresent invention aids users by providing a power saw assembly that maybe used as both a circular saw and a miter saw, for example.

Various embodiments provide a miter saw assembly 10 including a circularsaw 200 detachably coupled to a miter base 100. The circular saw 200includes a circular blade 218, a motor 204, a power supply 206, and anattachment mechanism 220. The motor 204 is operable to rotate thecircular blade 218. The power supply 206 is operable to provide power tothe motor 204. The attachment mechanism 220 detachably couples with acoupling arm of the miter base 100. The miter base 100 includes a base120 and a support arm 102. The support arm 102 includes the couplingarm, a vertical pivot 104, and a horizontal pivot 108. The verticalpivot 104 is operable to pivot the coupling arm in a vertical plane. Thehorizontal pivot 108 is rotatably coupled with the base 120. Thehorizontal pivot 108 is operable to rotate the coupling arm in ahorizontal plane.

As utilized herein, the terms “exemplary” or “example” means serving asa non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein,the term “e.g.” introduces a list of one or more non-limiting examples,instances, or illustrations.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate various views of an exemplary miter saw assembly 10with a circular saw 200 detached from a miter base 100, in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5-6illustrate views of an exemplary miter saw assembly 10 with a circularsaw 200 detachably coupled to a miter base 100, in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a miter saw assembly 10 comprises a miter base100 and a detachably coupleable circular saw 200. The miter base 100comprises a support arm 102 and a base 120. The support arm 102 maycomprise a vertical pivot 104, a bevel pivot 106 (if the miter sawassembly 10 is a compound miter saw, for example), a horizontal pivot108, and a coupling arm. In various embodiments, such as if the mitersaw assembly 10 is a sliding compound miter saw, the support arm 102 maycomprise sliding rails (not shown) such that the circular saw 200 can bepushed towards the rear of the miter base 100 and/or pulled towards thefront of the miter base 100 while in the cutting position. The verticalpivot 104 allows a circular saw 200 detachably coupled to the couplingarm to pivot downward to a cutting position and upward from the cuttingposition. The bevel pivot 106 allows a circular saw 200 detachablycoupled to the coupling arm to tilt sideways to provide beveled cuts,for example. In certain embodiments, the circular saw 200 can be foldedat the bevel pivot 106 to lay on top of the miter base 100 to providefor easier transport of the miter saw assembly 10. The horizontal pivot108 allows a circular saw 200 detachably coupled to the coupling arm torotate horizontally to provide angled cuts, for example.

The coupling arm is operable to detachably couple with the circular saw200. In an example embodiment, the coupling arm may comprise a slide110, a slide cover 112, a locking mechanism 114, a locking lever 116,and a support arm lever 126. The slide 110 extends from the verticalpivot 104 and detachably couples with an attachment mechanism 220 of thecircular saw 200. The locking mechanism 114 secures the slide 110 to theattachment mechanism 220 when the circular saw 200 is coupled to themiter base 100. The locking lever 116 is operable to engage the lockingmechanism 114 to the attachment mechanism 220 when in a closed positionand release the locking mechanism 114 from the attachment mechanism 220so that the circular saw 200 can be removed from the miter base 100 whenin an open position. The slide cover 112 houses the locking mechanism114 and provides a clean finish for the coupling arm.

The support arm lever 126 may be a lever that comprises a gear 127 thatis rotated with the vertical pivot 104 to extend the support arm lever126 from the coupling arm and retract the support arm lever 126 to thecoupling arm. The support arm lever 126 is operable to mate with andmove a blade guard lever 212 of the circular saw 200 to open a bladeguard 216 as the circular saw 200 attached to the coupling arm pivotsdownward at the vertical pivot 104, and to close the blade guard 216 asthe circular saw 200 pivots upward. For example, when not in use, ablade guard 216 can cover a blade 218 of the circular saw 200 to protectusers and passersby from contacting the blade 218 of the circular saw200. As the circular saw 200 is pivoted to a cutting position, thesupport arm lever 126 can extend from the coupling arm and mate with theblade guard lever 212 to slide the blade guard lever 212 from a closedposition to an open position. The blade guard 216 retracts to expose theblade 218 as the blade guard lever 212 is moved from the closed positionto the open position. As the circular saw 200 is pivoted upward from thecutting position, the blade guard lever 212 is moved from the openposition to the closed position such that the blade guard 216 extends tocover the blade 218.

The base 120 comprises a blade receiving miter table 118, a handle 122,and a fence, 124. The handle 122 can be grasped to transport the mitersaw assembly 10. The blade receiving miter table 118 is operable toreceive a cutting blade 218 of a circular saw 200 as the circular saw200 vertically pivots downward to a cutting position. In variousembodiments, such as if the miter saw assembly 10 is a sliding compoundmiter saw, the blade 218 of the circular saw 200 can be pushed withinthe blade receiving miter table 118 towards the rear of the miter base100 and/or pulled within the blade receiving miter table 118 towards thefront of the miter base 100 while in the cutting position. The bladereceiving miter table 118 rotates horizontally about the horizontalpivot 108 in unison with the support arm 102 when the circular saw 200coupled to the coupling arm is rotated horizontally to change an angleof a cut, for example.

The fence 124 is operable to provide a precise cutting angle between theplane of the blade 218 and the plane of a workpiece edge when theworkpiece is held against the fence 124. The default angle of the fence124 in relation to the blade 218 of the circular saw 200 may be ninetydegrees, for example. The angle of the fence 124 in relation to theblade 218 can be adjusted by, for example, horizontally rotating thecircular saw 200 coupled to the coupling arm about the horizontal pivot108.

The circular saw 200 may comprise a handle 202, a motor 204, a powersupply 206, a foot 208, a dust port 210, a blade guard lever 212, ahousing 214, a blade guard 216, a blade 218, and an attachment mechanism220. The handle 202 is grasped to operate the circular saw 200independently when the circular saw 200 is decoupled from the miter base100 and to maneuver the circular saw 200 as guided by the support arm102 when attached to the coupling arm of the miter base 100. The handle202 can include a grip, such as rubber, grooves, or any suitablematerial or texture. The handle 202 may include buttons, triggers, orthe like for activating the circular saw 200. The motor 204 is poweredby a power supply 206 and is operable to rotate the blade 218 whenactivated. The power supply 206 can be an alternating current (AC) powersupply (e.g., through a cord from a plug that mates with a wall socket),a direct current (DC) power supply (e.g., a battery), or any suitablepower supply.

The foot 208 is operable to rest on a surface that is being cut.Particularly, the foot 208 is generally parallel with the surface beingcut when the circular saw 200 is pivoted downward into the cuttingposition. In various embodiments, the foot 208 may automatically adjustto remain generally parallel with the surface being cut as the couplingarm is tilted sideways by the bevel pivot 106. The foot 208 can bemovable to adjust a depth of a cut. The dust port 210 can extend fromthe housing 214 and is operable to discharge dust formed during a sawingoperation. A dust bag (not shown) can be attached to the dust port 210to collect the dust discharged through the dust port.

The blade guard lever 212 may be a lever that extends through a slot inthe housing 214 and comprises a lever gear 213 that moves within thehousing 214 to extend and retract a blade guard 216. For example, whenthe circular saw 200 is detached from the miter base 100 for operationas a circular saw, a user can slide the blade guard lever 212 in a firstdirection to retract the blade guard 216 such that the blade 218 of thecircular saw 200 is exposed so the user can cut a workpiece, forexample. The blade guard lever 212 is moved in the second direction toextend the blade guard 216 to cover the blade 218 when the circular saw200 is not in use, for example. As another example, when the circularsaw 200 is attached to the miter base 100 for operation as a miter saw,the blade guard lever 212 may be moved in the first direction by acomponent of the miter base 100, such as the support arm lever 126, toretract the blade guard 216 such that the blade 218 of the circular saw200 is exposed. The support arm lever 126 moves the blade guard lever212 to open the blade guard 216 as the circular saw 200 attached to thecoupling arm pivots downward at the vertical pivot 104 into the cuttingposition. The blade guard lever 212 moves in the second direction toextend the blade guard 216 to cover the blade 218 as the circular saw200 pivots upward at the vertical pivot 104 from the cutting position.

The blade guard 216 protects users and passersby from contacting theblade 218 when the circular saw 200 and/or miter saw assembly 10 is notin use. The blade guard 216 comprises a shield that is extended to coverthe blade 218 and retracted to expose the blade 218. The blade guard 216may comprise a gear 217, for example, which is rotated by the bladeguard lever 212 to extend and retract the blade guard 216.

The blade 218 is a circular blade that is rotated by the motor 204 tocut a workpiece. In certain embodiments, different blades 218 can beused for cutting different workpiece materials, such as wood, plastic,metal, or any suitable material. The different blades 218 can compriseteeth of various sizes and configurations based on the application. Theblade 218 may be metal, such as steel, titanium, or any suitablematerial. The blade 218 is removable and replaceable with other circularblades. For example, a blade 218 may be removed and replaced if theworkpiece material changes or if the blade is worn, among other things.

The attachment mechanism 220 is operable to detachably couple thecircular saw 200 to the miter base 100. Particularly, the attachmentmechanism 220 may detachably couple to the coupling arm of the miterbase 100. For example, the attachment mechanism 220 can receive theslide 110 that extends from the vertical pivot 104 of the miter base100. The slide 110 can be secured within the attachment mechanism 220 bya locking mechanism 114 of the miter base 100, or any suitable lockingmechanism on the miter base 100 or the circular saw 200.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate perspective views of an exemplary attachmentmechanism 220 for detachably coupling a circular saw 200 to a miter base100, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIGS. 7-8, the attachment mechanism 220 comprises a slot222 formed in the housing 214 between slot indent(s) 224, a slot sidewall 228, a slot bottom wall 229, a slot top wall 230, and a slot end231. The slot indent(s) 224 can be attached to or integrated with theslot bottom wall 229 and/or slot top wall 230. The slot 222 is operableto receive a slide 110 that fits snugly within the slot 222 todetachably couple the circular saw 200 to the miter base 100. The slotindent(s) 224 can comprise an indent gap 226 operable to mate with thelocking mechanism 114 to secure the slide 110 within the slot 222. Invarious embodiments, the slot 222 and slide 110 can be square orrectangular shaped. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-10 anddiscussed below, for example, the slide 110 and/or slot 222 may betrapezoidal shaped.

The attachment mechanism 220 illustrated in FIGS. 7-8 shares variouscharacteristics with the attachment mechanism 220 illustrated in FIGS. 1and 3 as described above.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear side perspective view of an exemplary slide110 and attachment mechanism 220 with a slide clamp 111 for detachablycoupling a circular saw 200 to a miter base 100, in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, theattachment mechanism 220 comprises a slot 222 formed in the housing 214.In addition to the slot bottom wall 220 and slot end 231 illustrated inFIG. 9, the slot 222 may comprise slot indent(s) 224, a slot side wall228, and a slot top wall 230 as described above with reference to FIGS.7-8. The slot 222 can be trapezoidal shaped and comprise a slide clamp111 attached to at least one of the slot side wall 228, the slot bottomwall 229, or the slot top wall 230 (as illustrated in FIG. 9). The slideclamp 111 can be extended into the slot 222 by a tightening mechanismsuch as screws (not shown) that extend through the housing 214 to pushthe slide clamp 111. The slide 110 may be trapezoidal shaped such thatthe slide 110 snugly fits within the slot 222 with the slide clamp 111.In operation, the slide 110 is inserted into the slot 222 to attach thecircular saw 200 to the miter base 100 and the tightening mechanism istightened extending the slide clamp 111 to squeeze the slide 110 againstat least two surfaces 224, 228-231 of the slot 222. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 9, tightening the slide clamp 111 exerts a pressureon the slide 110 against the slot side wall 228 and slot bottom wall 229(i.e., datum surfaces). The tightening mechanism provides a consistentangle between the blade 218 and the miter base 100 each time thecircular saw 200 is attached to the miter base 100 to form a miter saw.

The slide 110 and attachment mechanism 220 illustrated in FIG. 9 sharesvarious characteristics with the slide 110 and attachment mechanism 220illustrated in one or more of FIGS. 1-4 and 7-8 as described above.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary slide 110and an attachment mechanism 220 for detachably coupling a circular saw200 to a miter base 100, in accordance with an example embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the attachment mechanism 220comprises a slot 222 formed in the housing 214. Although notspecifically illustrated in FIG. 10, the slot 222 may comprise slotindent(s) 224 as described above with reference to FIGS. 7-8. The slot222 can be trapezoidal shaped and may comprise a tightening mechanismsuch as screws (not shown) that extend through the housing 214 into theslot when tightened. The slide 110 may be trapezoidal shaped such thatthe slide 110 snugly fits within the slot 222. In operation, the slide110 is inserted into the slot 222 to attach the circular saw 200 to themiter base 100 and the tightening mechanism is tightened to squeeze theslide 110 against at least two surfaces 224, 228-231 of the slot 222.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, tightening the tighteningmechanism exerts a pressure on the slide 110 against the slot side wall228 and slot bottom wall 229 (i.e., datum surfaces). The tighteningmechanism provides a consistent angle between the blade 218 and themiter base 100 each time the circular saw 200 is attached to the miterbase 100 to form a miter saw.

The slide 110 and attachment mechanism 220 illustrated in FIG. 10 sharesvarious characteristics with the slide 110 and attachment mechanism 220illustrated in one or more of FIGS. 1-4 and 7-9 as described above.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary attachmentmechanism 220 and an exemplary slide 110 including an exemplary lockingmechanism 114 for securing a detachably coupleable circular saw 200 to amiter base 100, in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of an exemplary lockingmechanism 114 in a locked position, in accordance with an exampleembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 illustrates a side view ofan exemplary locking mechanism 114 in a release position, in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the attachment mechanism 220 comprises a slot222 formed in the housing 214 between slot indent(s) 224, a slot sidewall 228, a slot bottom wall 229, a slot top wall 230, and a slot end231. The slot indent(s) 224 can be attached to or integrated with theslot bottom wall 229 and/or slot top wall 230. The slot 222 is operableto receive a slide 110 that fits snugly within the slot 222 todetachably couple the circular saw 200 to the miter base 100. The slotindent(s) 224 can comprise an indent gap 226 operable to mate with thelocking mechanism 114 to secure the slide 110 within the slot 222.

The slide 110 may extend from the vertical pivot 104 and can detachablycouple with an attachment mechanism 220 of the circular saw 200. Thelocking mechanism 114 is attached to the slide 110 and secures the slide110 to the attachment mechanism 220 when the circular saw 200 is coupledto the miter base 100. The locking lever 116 is operable to engage thelocking mechanism 114 with the attachment mechanism 220 when in a closedposition and release the locking mechanism 114 from the attachmentmechanism 220 so that the circular saw 200 can be removed from the miterbase 100 when in an open position. Particularly, the locking mechanism114 may comprise locking protrusions 115 operable to extend when thelocking lever 116 is moved to a closed position and retract when thelocking lever 116 is moved to an open position. The locking protrusions115 can snap into the indent gap(s) 226 in the slot indent(s) 224 tosecure the circular saw 200 to the miter base 100 when the slide 110 isinserted into the slot 222 and the locking lever 116 is closed. Thelocking protrusions 115 retract from the indent gap(s) 226 in the slotindent(s) 224 to unlock the circular saw 200 from the miter base 100when the locking lever 116 is opened.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of an exemplary blade guard mechanism126, 212 with the circular saw housing 214 removed, in accordance withan example embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 illustrates aside perspective view of an exemplary blade guard lever 212 of anexemplary blade guard mechanism 126, 212 with the circular saw housing214 removed, in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIGS. 14-15, the blade guard mechanism comprisesa support arm lever 126 and a blade guard lever 212.

The blade guard lever 212 is operable to extend and retract a bladeguard 216. In an example embodiment, the blade guard lever 212 comprisesa lever gear 213 that drives a blade guard gear 217 to extend the bladeguard 216 to cover the blade 218 and retract the blade guard 216 toexpose the blade 218. For example, the blade guard lever 212 may bemoved in a first direction to an open position to retract the bladeguard 216 such that the blade 218 of the circular saw 200 is exposed.The blade guard lever 212 is moved in the second direction to a closedposition to extend the blade guard 216 to cover the blade 218. The bladeguard lever 212 can be moved, for example, by a user when operated as acircular saw 200 or by the support arm lever 126 when operated as amiter saw.

The support arm lever 126 is operable to rotate at a gear 127 to extendand retract the support arm lever 126. The gear 127 is operable torotate the support arm lever 126 based on rotation at the vertical pivot104. For example, the support arm lever 126 is rotated to extend fromthe coupling arm when the coupling arm is rotated downward at thevertical pivot 104. The support arm lever 126 is rotated to retract tothe coupling arm when the coupling arm is rotated upward at the verticalpivot 104.

The support arm lever 126 is operable to mate with and move a bladeguard lever 212 of the circular saw 200 to open a blade guard 216 as thecircular saw 200 attached to the coupling arm pivots downward at thevertical pivot 104, and to close the blade guard 216 as the circular saw200 pivots upward. For example, a blade guard 216 can cover a blade 218of the circular saw 200 when not in use to protect users and passersbyfrom contacting the blade 218 of the circular saw 200. The support armlever 126 can extend from the coupling arm and mate with the blade guardlever 212 to slide the blade guard lever 212 from a closed position toan open position as the circular saw 200 is pivoted to a cuttingposition.

The blade guard mechanism 126, 212 illustrated in FIGS. 14-15 sharesvarious characteristics with the blade guard mechanism 126, 212illustrated in one or more of FIGS. 1-2 as described above.

Aspects of the present invention may be seen in a miter saw assembly 10.In an example embodiment of the present invention, the miter sawassembly 10 comprises a circular saw 200 and a miter base 100. Thecircular saw 200 comprises a circular blade 218, a motor 204, a powersupply 206, and an attachment mechanism 220. The motor 204 is operableto rotate the circular blade 218. The power supply 206 is operable toprovide power to the motor 204. The attachment mechanism 220 isdetachably coupled with a coupling arm. The miter base 100 comprises abase 120 and a support arm 102. The support arm 102 comprises thecoupling arm, a vertical pivot 104, and a horizontal pivot 108. Thecoupling arm is detachably coupled with the attachment mechanism 220.The vertical pivot 104 is operable to pivot the coupling arm in avertical plane. The horizontal pivot is rotatably coupled with the base120. The horizontal pivot 108 is operable to rotate the coupling arm ina horizontal plane.

In an example embodiment, the circular saw 200 comprises a blade guard216 movable between an extended position covering the circular blade 218and a retracted position exposing the circular blade 218. In variousembodiments, the circular saw 200 comprises a blade guard lever 212operable to move the blade guard 216 between the extended position andthe retracted position. The blade guard lever 212 is movable between aclosed position corresponding to the extended position of the bladeguard 216 and an open position corresponding to the retracted positionof the blade guard 216. In certain embodiments, the blade guard lever212 comprises a lever gear 213 and the blade guard 216 comprises a bladeguard gear 217. The lever gear 213 is movable with the blade guard lever212 to drive the blade guard gear 217 to move the blade guard 216between the extended position and the retracted position.

In various embodiments, the support arm 102 comprises a support armlever 126 rotatably coupled to the support arm 102. The support armlever 126 is operable to rotate between an inward position and anoutward position. The support arm lever 126 is operable to move theblade guard lever 212 between the closed position and the open positionas the support arm lever 126 rotates between the inward position and theoutward position. In certain embodiments, the support arm lever 126rotates from the inward position to the outward position as the couplingarm is pivoted downward at the vertical pivot 104. The support arm lever126 rotates from the outward position to the inward position as thecoupling arm is pivoted upward at the vertical pivot 104. In an exampleembodiment, the support arm lever 126 comprises a gear 127 that isrotated in unison with the vertical pivot 104 to rotate the support armlever 126 between the inward position and the outward position.

In certain embodiments, the attachment mechanism 220 comprises a slot222 formed in a housing 214 of the circular saw 200 between at least oneslot indent 224, a slot side wall 228, a slot bottom wall 229, and aslot top wall 230. The coupling arm comprises a slide 110. The slide 110is received within the slot 222 to detachably couple the coupling armwith the attachment mechanism 220. In an example embodiment, the slot222 and the slide 110 are generally rectangular or square shaped. Invarious embodiments, the slot 222 and the slide 110 are generallytrapezoidal shaped.

In an example embodiment, the attachment mechanism 220 comprises atightening mechanism operable to apply pressure to the slide 110 suchthat the slide 110 is pushed against at least two of the at least oneslot indent 224, the slot side wall 228, the slot bottom wall 229, andthe slot top wall 230. In various embodiments, the slot 222 comprises aslide clamp 111 attached to at least one of the slot side wall 228, theslot bottom wall 229, and the slot top wall 230. The tighteningmechanism is operable to apply pressure to the slide 110 by forcing theslide clamp 111 against the slide 110. In certain embodiments, thetightening mechanism is at least one screw that is extendable throughthe housing 214 into the slot 222.

In various embodiments, the coupling arm comprises a locking mechanism114 operable to secure the slide 110 within the slot 222. In certainembodiments, the slot indent 224 comprises an indent gap 226. Thelocking mechanism 114 comprises a protrusion 115 operable to extend intothe indent gap 226 to secure the slide 110 within the slot 222, andretract from the indent gap 226 to release the slide 110 such that theslide 110 is removable from the slot 222. In an example embodiment, thecoupling arm comprises a locking lever 116 operable to move between alocked position and an unlocked position. The locking lever 116 isoperable to extend the protrusion 115 when moved to the locked positionand retract the protrusion 115 when moved to the unlocked position.

In certain embodiments, the support arm 102 comprises a bevel pivot 106operable to tilt the coupling arm sideways. In an example embodiment,the bevel pivot 106 is operable to fold the circular saw 200 to lay ontop of the base 120. In various embodiments, the circular saw 200comprises a foot 208 operable to rest on a surface of a workpiece beingcut by the circular blade 218. The foot 208 is movable to adjust a depthof a cut. The foot 208 automatically adjusts to remain generallyparallel with the surface of the workpiece as the coupling arm is tiltedsideways at the bevel pivot 106. In certain embodiments, the support arm102 comprises sliding rails. The circular saw 200 detachably coupled tothe miter base 100 is pushed towards a rear of the miter base 100 andpulled towards a front of the miter base 100 on the sliding rails.

Although devices and systems according to the present invention may havebeen described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is notintended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on thecontrary, it is intended to cover such alternative, modifications, andequivalents, as can be reasonably included within the scope of theinvention as defined by this disclosure and appended diagrams.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A miter saw assembly comprising: a circular sawcomprising: a circular blade, a motor operable to rotate the circularblade, a power supply operable to provide power to the motor, a housingcomprising an attachment mechanism, and a foot; and a miter basecomprising: a base, and a support arm comprising: a coupling armdetachably coupled with the attachment mechanism of the housing of thecircular saw, a vertical pivot operable to pivot the coupling arm in avertical plane, and a horizontal pivot rotatably coupled with the base,the horizontal pivot operable to rotate the coupling arm in a horizontalplane; wherein the foot of the circular saw is operable to rest directlyon a surface of a workpiece being cut by the circular blade of thecircular saw when the attachment mechanism of the circular saw iscoupled to the coupling arm of the miter base and when the attachmentmechanism of the circular saw is detached from the coupling arm of themiter base.
 2. The miter saw assembly according to claim 1, wherein thesupport arm comprises a bevel pivot operable to tilt the coupling armsideways.
 3. The miter saw assembly according to claim 2, wherein thebevel pivot is operable to fold the circular saw to lay on top of thebase.
 4. The miter saw assembly according to claim 2, wherein the footis movable to adjust a depth of a cut, and wherein the footautomatically adjusts to remain generally parallel with the surface ofthe workpiece as the coupling arm is tilted sideways at the bevel pivot.5. The miter saw assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support armcomprises sliding rails, and wherein the circular saw detachably coupledto the miter base is pushed towards a rear of the miter base and pulledtowards a front of the miter base on the sliding rails.